Description
Book SynopsisThe S.S. United States book is the first comprehensive work on the vessel in decades. This volume includes many rarely seen photographs from the liner's golden years to her forlorn and lonely twilight years. Follow Frank Braynard, the nation's leading maritime historian, and Robert Hudson Westover as they chronicle the life of the S.S. United States. The United States, which still holds the West-bound speed record on the North Atlantic, is the greatest ocean liner this country has ever built, and this book stands as a fitting tribute and celebration of her maiden voyage.The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States is the fascinating behind-the scenes story of one of the fastest ships in the world and one of the most luxurious passenger liners to cross the Atlantic. With new introductory material by the SS United States Conservancy, this classic volume includes photographs of celebrity passengers and of the majestic liner from her golden years, when she spurred the rebirth of America’s maritime glory, to her twilight years. Follow Frank Braynard, one of the great American maritime historians, as he chronicles the life of the S.S. United States, the incredible feat of engineering that still holds the westbound speed record on the North Atlantic. This book stands as a tribute of her maiden voyage, a celebration of her recent rescue efforts by the Conservancy, and an inspiration for future generations to restore the legacy of the greatest ocean liner this country has ever built.
Table of ContentsIntroduction ix Saving Our Ship: A Letter from the SS United States Conservancy xi 1. The Beginnings 1 2. Two World Wars 18 3. She Gets Her Name 41 4. From Keel to Launch 62 5. An Attack from the White House 88 6. The Blue Riband 118 Image Section 143 7. Subsidy Feud Continues 152 8. The Honeymoon Period 174 9. Labor Troubles Begin 200 10. More Labor Troubles 221 11. More Passengers Than Any Other Liner 240 12. The End 259 13. Supplemental History 278 Bibliography 291 Author’s Note 293 Index 295
